Opticians, Dispensing salary in Columbia, MO
Opticians, Dispensing in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $36,600 a year ($17.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,910 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 6% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $38,750. There are 0.53 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| 25th percentile | $34,480 | $16.58 |
| Median | $36,600 | $17.60 |
| 75th percentile | $44,020 | $21.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,910 | $22.55 |
| Average (mean) | $39,560 | $19.02 |
Half of opticians, dispensing earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,050 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,525 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,407.69 |
| Weekly | $703.85 |
| Hourly | $17.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City, MO | $43,440 | 40 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $40,930 | 450 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $39,230 | 750 |
| Springfield, MO | $37,650 | 150 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $36,680 | 50 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $36,390 | 40 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $36,100 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for opticians, dispensing
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $75,300 |
| Hawaii | $75,300 |
| New Jersey | $72,460 |
| Massachusetts | $67,210 |
| New York | $63,880 |
| District of Columbia | $61,310 |
| Florida | $58,850 |
| Alaska | $58,250 |
| California | $57,990 |
| Vermont | $57,350 |
See Opticians, Dispensing pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $43,170 | $20.75 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $67,400 | $32.41 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $69,170 | $33.26 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,640 | $22.91 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $44,810 | $21.54 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,980 | $21.14 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $76,930 | $36.99 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $88,540 | $42.57 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $43,300 | $20.82 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $64,590 | $31.05 |
| Registered Nurse | $84,330 | $40.54 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a opticians, dispensing make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Columbia, MO metro area is $36,600 a year, or $17.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $46,910 a year. The top 25% earn $44,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,280 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $34,480 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Columbia, MO?
About 60 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.